Established in 2002, the Monarch Book Award is a statewide program from AISLE (Association of Illinois School Library Educators) to encourage students to read. 

"The name Monarch was chosen because of its familiarity to K-3 children and to symbolize the growth, change and freedom that becoming a reader brings. The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators. The program is open to all K-3 age children in Illinois." (AISLE)

The list of books curated each year are books that are nominated by school library media specialists, public librarians, teachers, and students. 

Students then have the opportunity to read the books from the list and any student who reads five or more of the titles is invited to participate in the voting process to select the overall winner of the Monarch Book Award. 

Voting will open in February and remain open until March 15th across the state of Illinois. 

The students of WCES are invited to vote for the Monarch Book Award in person when their class visits the library, if they have read 5 or more of the Monarch books!